John Webster arrived in Oshkosh in 1847. He worked as a farmer, lumberjack and drayman. In 1853, he started a draying business and in 1867 he opened a flour and feed store. In 1870, he began to invest in real estate. This building, designed by E. E. Stevens and constructed in 1893, is the culmination of those investments.
John Webster arrived in Oshkosh in 1847, where he worked as a farmer, lumberjack and drayman. John was the first person in Oshkosh to operate a dray business, which he started in 1853, first with oxen, then with horses. In 1867, he opened a flour and feed store, and three years later he began to invest in real estate. This building, designed by E. E. Stevens and constructed in 1893, is the culmination of those investments. John is credited with the construction of the “Webster Block” in 1895-1896; it replaced an earlier wooden building on the same site and also held his office.